Indiana bill would increase size and weight of certain freight

A bill in the Indiana Senate could soon authorize heavier loads for certain commodities.

The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, April 2, that would authorize the Indiana Department of Transportation, or a local authority, to grant permits for transporting overweight divisible loads. Specifically, the rule change would cover metal commodities and agricultural hauls.

Affected loads are those weighing more than 80,000 pounds that can be separated or reduced to meet specific regulatory weight limits, and other requirements.

The bill – HB1481 – would authorize divisible loads of metal commodities, such as steel, to weigh up to 120,000 pounds. Maximum weights for divisible loads of agricultural goods would be 97,000 pounds.

If approved in committee, the bill must beat an April 10 deadline to advance from the Senate. House lawmakers already approved HB1481 by unanimous consent.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association opposes truck size and weight increases. The Association lobbied successfully to remove language to increase truck size and weight in the new federal transportation law.

OOIDA encourages truckers to contact their state lawmakers about the issue.

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